What do you like about Bonaire?

[carnival03]

I'm having difficulty choosing an itinerary for our cruise next June, 2017, for our son's 21st birthday. We are a family of three and love the typical white sand, blue water beaches. Shopping is a plus and we love just being in a beautiful place! Here are my choices:

 

All leaving from San Juan...

 

Itinerary One: St. Thomas / Curacao / Aruba / St. Kitts

 

Itinerary Two: St. Maarten / St. Kitts / Antigua / St. Lucia / Barbados

 

Itinerary Three: Bonaire / Curacao / Aruba / St. Maarten

 

So what do you like about Bonaire? What sets it apart from the options above, and which Itinerary would you choose?

 

Thanks for your opinion! :D

 

Also, Bonaire is the port that I am finding to be the most difficult to find a a nice beach for the day....

[ODECCIT]

I'm having difficulty choosing an itinerary for our cruise next June, 2017, for our son's 21st birthday. We are a family of three and love the typical white sand, blue water beaches. Shopping is a plus and we love just being in a beautiful place! Here are my choices:

 

All leaving from San Juan...

 

Itinerary One: St. Thomas / Curacao / Aruba / St. Kitts

 

Itinerary Two: St. Maarten / St. Kitts / Antigua / St. Lucia / Barbados

 

Itinerary Three: Bonaire / Curacao / Aruba / St. Maarten

 

So what do you like about Bonaire? What sets it apart from the options above, and which Itinerary would you choose?

 

Thanks for your opinion! :D

 

Also, Bonaire is the port that I am finding to be the most difficult to find a a nice beach for the day....

 

I would go with itinerary 3. ABC islands plus St.Marteen would be perfect for me. Banaire offers the best snorkeling out of all the ports that you provided. Klein Bonaire is a perfect sport for beach lovers. This itinerary will give you opportunity to visit the best beaches in the Caribbeans.

[carnival03]

I would go with itinerary 3. ABC islands plus St.Marteen would be perfect for me. Banaire offers the best snorkeling out of all the ports that you provided. Klein Bonaire is a perfect sport for beach lovers. This itinerary will give you opportunity to visit the best beaches in the Caribbeans.

 

I've been leaning more and more towards this itinerary. Thanks for your input! I saw that Royal Caribbean has a shore excursion to Klein Bonaire, $35 p/p via water taxi. Have you been? Is there cheaper ways of transportation to Klein?

[ODECCIT]

I've been leaning more and more towards this itinerary. Thanks for your input! I saw that Royal Caribbean has a shore excursion to Klein Bonaire, $35 p/p via water taxi. Have you been? Is there cheaper ways of transportation to Klein?

Water taxi departs from down the pier and it cost $20 per adult round trip. They go back and forth every hour.

Here is their webpage http://www.goodreturnbonaire.com/

Klein Bonaire is inhabited island and doesn't have any facilities.

I saw you posted on Curacao board as well. If you in port till 11PM you can visit Cas Abou beach which is an hour away by taxi. There are few nice beaches closer to port as well. In StMarteen the best snorkeling spot is Baie Rouge.

Edited July 19, 2016 by ODECCIT

[carnival03]

Water taxi departs from down the pier and it cost $20 per adult round trip. They go back and forth every hour.

Here is their webpage http://www.goodreturnbonaire.com/

Klein Bonaire is inhabited island and doesn't have any facilities.

I saw you posted on Curacao board as well. If you in port till 11PM you can visit Cas Abou beach which is an hour away by taxi. There are few nice beaches closer to port as well. In StMarteen the best snorkeling spot is Baie Rouge.

 

Thanks for all the info!

[ABQrobin]

Bonaire is some of the best scuba diving in the Caribbean. We have been there twice on week-long land vacations for diving. We have also snorkeled there.... the water is crystal clear, full of fish, and very little current. It is fairly easy diving.

 

If you want to see photos and videos, I have them here:

http://www.rnrscuba.net/2011_Bonaire/2011_Bonaire_TripReport.html

 

[OCruisers]

Amazingly wonderful snorkeling in Bonaire!!! :)

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

ABQrobin, I don't dive or snorkel but your under water pictures are absolutely fabulous, thank you for sharing.

Edited July 21, 2016 by CELTICGIRLCRUISER

[ABQrobin]

ABQrobin, I don't dive or snorkel but your under water pictures are absolutely fabulous, thank you for sharing.

 

thanks!